Like the Celtics, the Lakers are in the lottery for the first time
because the failed to make the playoffs.  Their net GM is:

   Kosh


The Lakers select with the 10th pick:

   Jalen Rose, SG, 6-8. Michigan

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TEAM NEEDS

The Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time in umpteen years.  A
fact that did not sit well with the Laker orgnisation (Jerry West
reportedly could not attend the draft lottery because he could not
believe that the Lakers were out of the playoffs).  Magic Johnson
resigned as head coach after replacing Randy Pfund for the final 16
games of the regular season, and now Del Harris has taken over.  Magic
retired because he found no desire within the players - they did not
have the 'Laker Tradition'.  The team is young and plays that way.
The only player left from Showtime is James Worthy, but all must admit
that Worthy is a shadow of his former self.  What do the Lakers need
to get over this mediocrity?  Everything!

CENTER:	Vlade Divac was the starting center, and was likely the best
player on the Lakers last year.  He showed consistency for most of the
season, and quieted his many detractors.  He is at the top of the
second tier of centers, but he will never rise to the first tier.  The
backup center was Sam Bowie, but he was not available for most of the
season last year (surgery to repair his left knee).  Everyone praised
West on getting Bowie for Benjamin, but in hindsight the Nets got the
better end of the bargain.  Bowie is injury prone and will likely only
see limited minutes if he recovers sufficiently.  Edwards is gone
since he provides a rather large salary spot.  Elden Campbell
(starting PF) and Danny Schayes gave some spot time in the center
position.  The Lakers could use a better center but this is one of
their better positions.

POWER FORWARD: Elden Campbell was the starter for most of the season.
There has always been so much promise for Campbell, but sometimes he
seems more interested in counting the fans in the stands (which was
easily done last year at the GWF).  In one game Campbell would play
huge (who can forget his performance against Barkley in the playoffs
of '92-'93), but in the next game he would be lost.  This guy is
6'11", athletic, and can sky on his jump.  Why can he not rebound.
Additionally, he cannot find the open man, even if his life depended
on it.  He can play good defense, but as with his offense, he has to
be reminded to do it.  The backups were Rambis and Harvey.  I guess,
Rambis is a holdover from the Showtime days, but he has taken a
strange journey to be considered a holdover.  The Lakers cut Rambis
earlier in the season -- most likely to avoid having to pay him a
bonus if he was on the team at a certain date.  He was resigned after
injuries plagued the Lakers.  He gives you 110%, but one must admit
that his 110% is still not enough.  Antonio Harvey showed a lot of
promise, but on Pfund's team his role was limited.  He was also
hampered by injuries for most of the season (e.g, the accelerated
heartbeat towards the end of the season).  Schayes gave some time at
PF also, but he was only on the Lakers to hold AC Green's salary spot.
Now the Lakers will be able to use this spot to sign a 'big-name' free
agent.  The PF position is the weakest position on the Lakers.

SMALL FORWARD:	George Lynch, the first round pick of the Lakers last
year, saw a lot of time as the starter.  He took over for Doug
Christie after he got injured early in the season.  Lynch is another
player who gives 110%, and will be a great starter in a few years.
Many have called him the next AC Green but without as much ability
(did we not hear these same things when AC Green was starting with the
Lakers?).  In time Lynch will be comparable to AC.  Doug Christie had
a troubled year last year.  At the beginning of the season he missed
the first week or so due to an injury.  After recovering, he was soon
starting at SF, but he was sidelined once again after spraining his
ankle.  He never made it back as the starting SF, Lynch had replaced
him.  Christie is better suited at SG.  Worthy was the backup at SF
for the season (he did have a few starts).  He saw about 20 MinPG, and
this will likely be true once again next year.  He can provide some
spark off the bench, but he is no longer the Big Game James from the
Showtime years.  There has been speculation that he might retire or be
traded.  Worthy will not be traded because of his large contract and
the desire of West to give James what he deserves.  Retirement is a
possibility, but I think the Lakers would like to keep Worthy so that
he can teach the younger players.  This position will remain a role
position with the new Lakers; therefore, the current players are
adequate (Worthy, Lynch, and Christie).  They of course would be in
the market for a good SF, since Lynch can play PF in a pinch.

SHOOTING GUARD:	This is the deepest position on the Lakers.  They have
3 guys who could start on a number of teams: Chrisite, Peeler, and
Smith.  Peeler was the starter at the beginning of the season, but he
fractured a leg in the 30th game of the season.  He was lost for the
duration of the season.  Smith, Threatt and Christie replaced Peeler
in the lineup.  Threatt and Smith saw the initial starting role, but
Smith was better suited to play this position.  Magic Johnson placed
Threatt on the bench to backup the backcourt.  As the season
progressed, Christie started seeing more time at SG.  Smith became the
backup SG, but he also saw limited time as a backup PG.  Next year the
Lakers will be in a quandry as to who will start?  Christie or Peeler.
If both are still on the Lakers (a big if!), Coach Harris will be
given a difficult choice.  Peeler is a bit more consistent, but
Christie gives more options and abilities (and more heartburn).  If
Christie can calm down and remain healthy then he will likely get the
nod.  He gives more height and a bit more athletic ability.  He also
can handle the ball, but must learn that he cannot beat the opposing
team single-handedly.  I look for one of these guys to be traded.
This will leave Smith as the backup.  They will not draft at this
position unless if there is a great player available.  Threatt's
future with the Lakers is bleak.

POINT GUARD: Van Exel was the starting PG last year.  He did a very
good job considering it was his rookie year.  The biggest complaint
about his performance was his shot selection.  Van Exel did not have a
shot he would not try.  He must improve his FGP.  He is a very good
ball handler, but must learn to play a bit more agressively.  Van Exel
played somewhat conservatively which can likely be attributed to it
being his rookie season.  By the end of the year, he was showing much
more confidence in directing the team and an ability to penetrate the
paint.  I look for Van Exel to be the starting PG once again.  He has
a lot of promise and maybe over the summer he can improve his game
(much like Payton did for the Sonics).  Threatt saw time at both PG
and SG last year.  The Lakers obtained Threatt to backup both guard
positions, but he became the starting PG after Magic had to retire.
Threatt did an admirable job, but most would have to agree that he is
not a true PG nor will he ever be.  Expect to see Threatt on another
team next year.  Smith will likely see more time as the backup PG.  I
do not expect that the Lakers will choose a PG in the draft except if
Kidd slips to #10 (yeah right!).  The Lakers can improve on Van Exel,
but they will only replace him if a significant trade can be realised.

MANAGEMENT:	What can you say?  It is probably one of the best in
the league.  The two Jerrys (Buss and West) are the cream of the crop.
They have had problems in recent years finding the coach for the
Lakers (Dunleavy, Pfund, Johnson, and Harris).  Maybe the Lakers have
found their coach in Harris -- they need discipline and experience.
Harris may just provide that.  If I was Buss I would sell/give Magic a
portion of the team -- keep him in La La Land!  I look for West to
pull off some signing or trade this summer.  He has too much talent in
the backcourt and nowhere near enough in the frontcourt.  West will
find an agressive guy for the frontcourt, and how many players in the
NBA would jump at the chance to play for the Lakers?  I am sure there
are many.

MY SELECTION: Even after saying that the Lakers would not draft at the
SG, I choose Jalen Rose (G, Michigan).  He is a great player and will
shine in the NBA.  I must admit that I have always been a fan of his
(more so than the other Fab 5 of Wolverine country).  I was surprised
that Rose had slipped this far.  True the Lakers need a PF (or maybe
even another C), but it came to BPA.  Rose was the best player
available.  This is much the same situation that the Pistons went
through last year (they drafted Houston and Hunter when they already
had Dumars and Thomas).  Th only problem with the Rose selection is
that they already have a similar player already -- Doug Christie!
Additionally he gives the ability to fill in at other positions: SF
and PG.  I think the Lakers have always been searching for the 'next
Magic'.  What does that mean?  They want a PG who has height and can
bring Showtime back to LA.  They gave Christie a try, but he so far
shown that he is not suited for the job.  If somehow Rose could handle
the starting PG duties, then Van Exel would be gone in a heartbeat.
Finally, I do not see the PG position as too deep on the Lakers.  Van
Exel is a true PG, but Smith and Threatt are tweeners.  Rose is a
reach but one worth taking.

OTHERS CONSIDERED: I considered all the power players.  I was hoping
to land Rozier since he had slipped in this mock draft; however, the
Kings smartly selected him.  Wingfield (PF, Cinn) was also considered,
but he is very inexperienced.  Yes he has tons of talent, but it is
very raw.  He should have stayed in school for at least one more year.
Since the Lakers are in the rebuilding phase he may be a good choice,
but he is a longer term selection.  I think the Lakers will go with
proven talent (Rose does have that!).  After Wingfield I felt the
talent at PF was limited. The only other possibility was Brian Grant
(FC, Xavier).  Rumours have abounded that Grant has shown good skills
in the camps that have been going on.  He is undersized though at
6'8"; therefore, I do not see it to be likely.  I also consiered
Montross, but I have never been impressed with him.  Montross has the
body but he does not use it as well as he could.  Still, the Lakers
have had a penchant to draft or sign UNC alumni (Worthy, Lynch, and
Perkins come to mind).  I see tha Lakers staying with with Divac (he
is still a young 26!).

WHO THEY'LL PROBABLY TAKE: I do not think they will take a SG in the
draft.  My pick was determined by how the other teams had selected.  I
was left with the BPA, and Rose was that in my opinion.  I think they
will take a frontcourt player.  I see Robinson going to the Bucks,
Kidd to the Mavs, Howard to the Pistons, Hill to the Wolves, Dare to
the Bullets, Rose to the Clippers, Rozier to the Kings, and Murray to
the Celtics.  I think the Lakers will then choose Rogers.  All of this
is a big IF!  I also see the chance that there will be a number of
trades, and I see the Lakers being involved in something.

OTHER MOVES: Look for a trade and free agent signing.  The Bucks have
the first pick and they need some power in their lineup - can you say
Big Dog.  The Mavs need a better PG - can you say Kidd.  The Lakers
would like to obtain either of these guys, but how?  I do not think it
will be likely, but Jerry West has done some amazing things.  One must
also remember that Dunleavy is the GM and coach of the Bucks.
Dunleavy's ties with the Lakers may help out -- well one can hope!
Look for the Lakers to make an offer of Campbell, one of the SG's, and
their first round pick for one of the top picks.  Will someone take
it?  Not likely.  It is also known that Dunleavy has always been
interested in obtaining Vlade Divac.  If this big trade cannot be
realised, look for a couple smaller deals and the possibility of
signing a free agent or two.  The names of Manning and Grant have been
mentionned.  Horace Grant was at first interested, but in recent
months this rumour has dissipated.  Manning is a strong possibilty if
he does leave the Hawks.  He wanted out of LA, but not the city - the
Clippers.  The Lakers are a star away from returning to the playoffs.
The sports fantasy I have: The Lakers sign Horace Grant (or Danny
Manning) to start at PF; Campbell, Peeler, and their first round
traded to Dallas for their first round and another (to satisfy
salary).  The Dallas first rounder is Kidd.  The Lakers may have to
sweeten the pot, which would be done by including Van Exel.  This
would give the Lakers a starting lineup of Divac, Grant, Lynch,
Christie, and Kidd.  The Showtime would be back in Laker Land!  Yeah,
I know, I'll stop smoking the dope!

====================================================================
Draft Summary:

1.  Milwaukee Bucks
    GM:   Bobby Davis 
    Pick: Glenn Robinson, PF, 6-8.  Purdue University.
2.  Dallas Mavericks
    GM:   Theo Wendt 
    Pick: Jason Kidd, PG, 6-4.  Cal.
3.  Detroit Pistons
    GM:   Eric Iverson 
    Pick: Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke.
4.  Minnesota Timberwolves
    GM's: Kevin Hansen 
          Toni Morgan 
    Pick: Donyell Marshall, SF, 6-9. Connecticut
5.  Washington Bullets
    GM's: Jim Nagle 
          The Crossjammer 
    Pick: Juwan Howard, PF, 6-10. Michigan
6.  Philadelphia 76ers
    GM's: Brent Halliburton 
    Pick: Yinka Dare, C, 7-0. George Washington
7.  Los Angeles Clippers
    GM:   Paul Osmond 
    Pick: Carlos Rogers, PF, 6-11. Tennessee State
8.  Sacramento Kings
    GM's: Don Hearth 
          Daniel W. Huang 
    Pick: Clifford Rozier, PF, 6-9.  Louisville
9.  Boston Celtics
    GM:   Ellie Cutler 
    Pick: Lamond Murray, SF, 6-7.  Cal
10. Los Angeles Lakers
    GM:   Kosh 
    Pick: Jalen Rose, SG, 6-8. Michigan

Next up:
11. Seattle Sonics
    GM:   Aaron Gill